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Measuring Oral Fatty Acid Thresholds, Fat Perception, Fatty Food Liking, and Papillae Density in Humans
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[Does food affect tartar deposition?]
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Tandheelkunde
|November 8, 2021
Summary
Fruit consumption may reduce tartar build-up due to its acidity, which counteracts alkaline conditions favoring tartar formation. Despite protein-rich foods and oral care products creating alkaline environments, they did not increase tartar, suggesting diet
Area of Science:
- Oral health
- Biochemistry
- Dietary science
Background:
- Tartar (dental calculus) forms from calcium phosphate precipitation on dental plaque in alkaline conditions.
- Dietary factors can influence the oral environment's pH and plaque metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between fruit consumption and tartar build-up.
- To evaluate the impact of various dietary components and oral care products on tartar formation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a large-scale population study on fruit consumption and tartar.
- Assessment of the effects of protein degradation, dairy products, arginine, and urea on oral plaque pH and tartar formation.
Main Results:
- Fruit consumption was associated with a reduced risk of tartar build-up.
- Despite creating alkaline conditions, protein-rich foods, dairy products, and oral care products with arginine or urea did not increase tartar formation.
Conclusions:
- Dietary intake's influence on dental plaque metabolism appears insufficient to significantly increase tartar formation.
- The acidity of fruits may play a protective role against tartar development.
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